Tampa Teen Killed in Jefferson County Car Crash

By Florida Higway Patrol&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sat 8:51 PM, Mar 09, 2013&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Mon 9:59 AM, Mar 11, 2013

According to CBS affiliate WTSP in Tampa, FL., Amanda Pierce and her passenger, Taylor Lazzara, were on their way to Florida State University to visit the campus and pick up Pierce's sister for spring break when the accident occurred.

18-year-old Amanda Pierce was killed in an accident on I-10

Pierce was a senior at Plant High School where she was remembered fondly.

Plant High School held a vigil for Pierce Saturday night to mourn and remember the young woman who passed away from injuries sustained in the crash.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Pierce was trying to avoid colliding into another car accident on I-10 when she lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a tree.

Lazzara survived the crash with minor injuries.

According to a Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Spokesperson, driver Amanda Pierce has passed away.

CBS Affiliate WTSP in Tampa, Florida reports Pierce was a student at Plant High School in Tampa.

Press Release: Florida Highway Patrol

According to FHP, on Friday evening around 9:49 pm, two Tampa teens were seriously injured in a crash that occurred in Jefferson County.

According to FHP reports, driver of the 2001 Acura, Amanda Pierce, 18 and her passenger Taylor Alexandra Lazzara, also 18 were traveling westbound on Interstate 10 (I-10), in the inside lane, in the area of the 220mile marker.

Traffic was stopped ahead of Pierce's vehicle due to two previous traffic crashes that occurred earlier that night. According to FHP, Pierce swerved to the right to avoid the stopped traffic ahead causing her vehicle to begin rotating clockwise as it entered the north shoulder of I-10.

The left-front of Pierce's vehicle collided with a tree along the shoulder. Upon collision with the tree, the car rotated clockwiseand came to rest facing south-southwest, along the north shoulder of I-10.

The driver, Amanda Pierce was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition. The passenger, Taylor Lazzara was also taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she is listed in serious condition.

According to FHP Both passengers were wearing seat belts and alcohol was not a factor.

The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.